"He's been a tremendous player here. We wanted to let David know we care about all our players,'' Francona said.

Ortiz took early batting practice Wednesday. Francona thinks he has handled his lessening role as well as can be expected.

"I don't expect anybody to get pinch-hit for, and come back and start high-fiving us,'' the manager said.

Francona said Ortiz is healthy, but battling mechanical flaws similar to those that dogged him early in 2009.

"When he can stay back, his hands can follow his body. Staying on that back leg, and driving the ball to left-center, he'll cover more of the plate that way,'' the manager said.

Ortiz is also trying not to let an avalanche of advice confuse him.

"Everybody wants to get to him and help him, because he's David. But you start listening to everybody, and that can make it worse,'' Francona said.
DREW'S SLAM: While Ortiz slumps, J.D. Drew was doing no better until slugging a third-inning grand slam Wednesday.

Drew entered the game hitting .133 with 19 strikeouts in 45 at-bats. In Wednesday's lineup, he batted second, where Francona hopes he sees more fastballs.

"He's kind of like David, his hands are out front,'' Francona said.

"J.D. has some of the best hitter's hands you'll see, but when the hands get out front, there's not a lot left.''

Drew's slam off Harrison gave Boston a 5-4 lead. It hugged the right-field line near Pesky's Pole.

LOOKING BETTER: Manny Delcarmen's fastball registered at 96 on the radar gun Tuesday, a sign his mechanics are smoothing out.

Delcarmen's velocity drop has been a cause for concern all spring.

Jason Varitek said radar readings can be over-emphasized.

"A lot of things get sensationalized around here,'' the catcher said.

"You can probably get away with a little more if you're between 95 and 100. But whether